Heater for automobiles



Jan. 29, 1929.

T. H. ROBERTS ET AL 'HEATER FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Nov. 15. 1926 2 SheecsI-Shee'cv atto: uc 13A Jan. 29, 1929. 1,700,516

T. H. ROBERTS ET AL HEATER FOR -AUTOMOBILES Filed Nov. l5, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 vwentow THOMAS H. ROBERTS. AND JOHN R. HOLMES, 0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN', ASSIGNQRS TO JAMES W. HELGE, 0F DETRQT, MICHIGAN.

y HEATER FOR AUTOMQBILES.

Application led November 15, 1926. Serial No. 148,512.

This invention relates generally to heaters for motor vehicles and consists of' certain novel features of construction, combinations and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a heater embodyingour invention and showing a por tion of the outer shell broken away.'

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View through the construction shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the* line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is'an end elevation of the construction shown in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a View similar to Figure 2 but showing a slightly modified form of construction.

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view through a slightly modified form of core.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 is the core or heating unit and 2 is the shell or casing of a heater embodying our invention. As shown, the core 1 and shell 2 are tubular in form and are concentrically arranged., Preferably the core 1- is a metal casting and is provided at its opposite ends with laterally projecting integral annular flanges 3 and 4 respectively, while the shell 2 is constructed of sheet metal and is sleeved upon the flanges 3 and 4 respectively of the core. Preferably the shell 2 terminates short of the ends of the core 1 and is provided at diametrically Opposite sides thereof, preferably at points between but adjacent to said annular flanges 3 and 4, with openings 5 and 6 respectively. To providean efficient connection between the shell 2 and core 1, the shell is preferably provided at its forward end with an annulaiinwardly extending rib or bead 7 which seats snugly in a suitable annular recess or channel 8 in the flange 3, while a sliding joint is preferably provided at the rear end of the heater betweenv the shell 2 and flange 4 to take care of expansion and contraction of the core.

'In the present instance the exhaust gasesl from the engine of the motor vehicle flow through the core 1 and are adapted to heat air from the atmosphere in the s ace 9 between the core 1 and shell 2. Pre erably the exhaust gases from the engine are conveyed to and from the core 1 by means of short tubes 10 and 11 respectively which telescopically engage adjacent sections (not shown) of the usual exhaust conduit of the engine. The inner ends of'these tubes 10-and 11 are fiared as shown at 12 and 13 and are embedded in the ends of the core. If desired these flared portions 12 and 13 may beprovided with suitable openings 14 and 15 to receive portions of the core so as to insure a rigid connection between these parts. Air from the atmosphere is conveyed to and discharged from the shell 2 by means of suitable housings 16 and 17 respectivelywhich are secured to the shell 2 around the openings 5 and 6 and correspond to the housings 6 and 7 shown in our co-pending application filed (let. 21, 1926,

Ser. No. 153,22

To insure the proper distribution 0f the air about the core within the shell, the core is provided at the longitudinal median line of the top and bottom 'thereof with substan` tially vertically disposed webs 18 and 19 which extend longitudinally of the core between the flanges 3 and 4 and are preferably arranged directly opposite to the openings 5 and 6. The core is also provided upon its opposite sides with laterally projecting webs 20 and 21 respectively which also extend longitudinally of thel core and are arranged in parallel relation and thereby provide longitudinally extending` channels 23 and 24 respectively in which the air is adapted to travel between theV inlet and outlet openings 5 and 6. Preferably the opposite ends of these webs\20 and 21 are arranged in stepped relation so that the distribution of air will be proportionate within the shell. As shown, the forward ends of the webs 20 and 21 are located opposite to the inlet o ening 5 and successively increase in length rom the rear edge of said inlet opening toward the forward end ofthe core so that the incomingair will be proportionately deflected longitudinally of the'core in the channels23 and 24. Likewise the rear ends of the webs 2O and 21 are arranged opposite to the outlet opening 6 and successively increase in length from the forward edge of said opening toward the rear end of the core, hencethe flow of air from the channels 22 and 23 tothe outlet opening 6 will be in the nature of continuous uninterrupted streams.

1f desired, the inner sides of the core 1 may be provided with inwardly extending lateral webs or ribs 25 and 26 respectively which will o thus collected into the air passing through effectively collect the heat from the exhaust gases passing through the core. rlfhe lateral webs Q and Q1 will then dissipate the heat theshcll so that said air Will be heated thoroughly before being discharged through the outlet opening 6.

ln use, 'the air from the atmosphere will flow continuously through the shell 2 but will not commingle `with the exhaust gases flowing through the core 1. inasmuch as the web 19vis disposed directly opposite to and at the center of the inlet opening 5 it will be apparent that the incoining air will be divided byl the web 19 so that substantially equal portions thereof will be directed toward the stepped forward ends ofthe longitudinally extending webs 20 and 21 respectively. llf desired the air from the atmosphere could be directed through the core 1 whereupon the exhaust gases would then be supplied to the space 9 between the core 1 and shell 2.

in Figure 6 We have shown a slight modification in Which the tubes 10 and 11 have been dispensed with entirely and the core 1 is preferably provided with integral tubular extensions and 31 respectively which correspond to the tubes 10 and 11 and are adapted to be connected in a similar manner to adjacent portions ,of the usual exhaust conduit (not shown) of the engine. j

In Figure i' We have shown another modification in which the lateral Webs 40 are formed separately from the core and are then cast into the core to'dissipate the heat collected. These webs 4() may be formedof any suitable material and are preferably provided at their inner ends with lateral flanges 41 that constitute anchorage means therefor in the core. Preferably these Webs 40' are spaced apart in a manner similar to the Webs 20 and 2l respectively. `While it is believed that from the foregoing description, the nature and advantage of our invention Will be readily apparent, We desire to have it understood that we do not limit ourselves to what is herein shown and described and that such changes may be resorted to when desired as fall Within the scope of what is claimed.

What We claim as our invention is:

1. In a heater for automobiles, the combination with a tubular core adapted to receive a heating medium, and having longitudinally extending Webs for dissipating the heat of said medium, of a tubular shell sleeved upon portions of said core and having inlet and outlet openings in its sides for air, said openings being located at opposite ends of said shell, and the ends of said. Webs being arranged in stepped relation so that the incorning air will be proportionately distributed messie tending Webs, said Webs being spaced apart and cooperating with the sides of said core to form longitudinally extending channels in which a. fluid may travel between said inlet and outlet openings, the forward ends of said webs being arranged in stepped relation opposite to said inlet opening so that the incoming fluid will be proportionately distributed into said longitudinally extending channels.

3. In a heater of the class described, the combination with a shell having a uid inlet opening in one side thereof, of a core Within the shell having a ,plurality of laterally projecting longitudinally extending Webs upon the outer sides thereof, the forward ends of said webs being stepped progressively from the rear edge of said opening toward the for- Ward end of said core whereby the fluid ad- `mitted to said shell through said opening will be proportionately deflected lby said Webs longitudinally of said shell.

4. A heater for automobiles comprising a tubular core having enlarged end portions, a tubular shell sleeved upon said enlarged end portions and having air inlet and outlet openings, vertically projecting Webs extending longitudinally of lsaid core and having portions disposed opposite to said openings, and laterally projecting longitudinally extending Websat the sides of said core, said last mentioned webs being provided with stepped end portions arranged adjacent said air inlet opening, said first and second mentioned Webs forming a means for proportionately distributing the air longitudinally of the shell.

5. lln a vehicle heater, the combination with a tubular shell having air inlet and outletopenings located respectively at the opposite ends thereof, of a core extendin through said shell and adapted to receive a ieating medium, said core having longitudinally extending Webs` for dissipating the heat of said medium, the ends of said Webs being arranged in stepped relation whereby the incoming air Will be proportionately distributed longitudinally of the shell and flow in continuous streams between said Webs to said outletopenlng.

ln testimony `whereof We affix our signatures.'

'llflOltlAS H..ROBERTS.

JGHN R. HOLMES. 

